Ride the Rockies 2016 route winds from Carbondale to Fort Collins

Cyclists to travel 403 miles over six days, gain 29,782 feet of elevation

A cyclist begins his ascent up the Colorado National Monument in the early morning hours during stage one of the 30th annual Ride the Rockies. Ride the Rockies kicked off stage one of seven with a 47-mile loop starting and ending in Grand Junction on Sunday June 14, 2015. (Denver Post file)

(Provided by Ride the Rockies)

Thousands of cyclists in this summer's The Denver Post's annual Ride the Rockies bicycle tour will traverse 403 lung-bursting miles over six days from Carbondale to Fort Collins, covering nearly 30,000 vertical feet over some of the state's most famed passes and scenic roadways.

The route — announced Saturday night in Denver — will begin in Carbondale on June 12 and roll through Aspen, Copper Mountain, Grand Lake — a first-time host — Estes Park and, finally, on June 17, Fort Collins.

"It's amazing that after three decades of Ride the Rockies that we're able to put together a route that doesn't duplicate a previous one," said Chandler Smith, the ride director. "Still, 31 years later, we're visiting a new town with Grand Lake."

Samantha Miller, marketing and tourism director for the Grand Lakes Chamber of Commerce, was enthusiastic about bringing the ride to her town.

"My first reaction was, 'Let's do it,' " she said. "With it being the 100th anniversary of national parks in the United States, it's special to have Ride the Rockies come through. The high-altitude conditions will be a unique challenge. It'll be a great adventure for the riders."

The event, though not competitive, certainly requires training. Riders will travel 50 miles on Day 1 from Carbondale to Aspen along the Rio Grande Trail, climbing 4,253 feet.

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"With Ride the Rockies starting on a weekend, people will be participating in community events and activities we offer while making those cash registers sing," Andrea Stewart, director of the Carbondale Chamber of Commerce, said of the ride's impact. "We were so appreciative of the media and coordinators for offering this."

From there, cyclists will grind 7,655 feet — the most elevation gain in a single day — up Independence Pass and Fremont Pass for 85 miles en route to Copper Mountain. The ride's third day at 79 miles will be equally brutal, with 6,537 feet of climbing over Fremont Pass once again, Tennessee Pass, Red Cliff Bridge, Battle Mountain and finally the famed Vail Pass.

Copper was the finish for the 2003 edition of the tour, the last time the town served as a host community.

"We want people to know we are a year-round destination. There's still as much to do in the summer as in the winter," said Morgan Whitehouse, a spokeswoman for Copper Mountain Resort. "We're really looking forward to showcasing this resort to the national cycling community."

Wednesday will see riders journey 85 miles from Copper Mountain to Grand Lake. Thursday might well feature the most scenic views as riders pedal up Trail Ridge Road through Rocky Mountain National Park before descending into Estes Park. On Friday, riders will descend into Fort Collins, finishing at Odell Brewing Company.

In all, they will have climbed 29,782 feet.

Each host community receives an estimated $250,000 in economic impact and is also awarded a $5,000 grant to give to a non-profit organization.

On Tuesday, officials announced that ViaWest Inc., a Greenwood Village-based technology company, would be the event's title sponsor, a move that will inject this year's ride with additional funding and provide additional support to The Denver Post Community Foundation.

On June 11, riders may also participate in a 47-mile prologue ride that runs through Aspen, Snowmass, Woody Creek and Watson Divide. Fifty slots are open for those not selected in the main event's lottery.

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